Hawick Linden 59
Ottawa Indians 17
TOUR MATCH
HAWICK Linden played hosts to Canadian tourists the Ottawa Indians at Mansfield Park and an entertaining game was served up with the extra pace of the home side being the big difference between the teams.
The Royal Blues were quickly on the scoreboard when Greg Bouglas went over for the first try. Soon after, an excellent offload found Sean Goodfellow, who had the pace to run in from halfway.
Stuart Renwick converted majestically from the touchline.
From another srummage pick-up, Steven Bouglas burst through the visitors’ defence and ran half the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts and, with Ottawa on the attack, Nathan Murray picked up from a ruck and his pace saw him home from a distance.
Hawick back row man Barrie Keown took to the field for his former club to bolster the Ottawa pack. There was no stopping the Linden, though, and Murray ran a lovely loop to go over for his second try.
The visitors’ effort never dropped and from a tap penalty they went over from short range and the conversion was slotted, leaving the Teries 33-7 ahead at the break, Renwick having slotted three more conversions.
A visit to a distillery earlier in the day may have been a contributing factor to the tiredness of the visitors, as well as their game on Monday night against Watsonians.
From a Murray kick ahead, Graeme Anderson took the catch and Colville sneaked up the blind side to score.
Steven Bouglas then secured his hat-trick as he intercepted an Ottawa attack and ran in from 70m before Murray once more showed his running ability to touch down and Renwick slotted his seventh kick of the night.
Next, a beautifully weighted cross-kick from Renwick was caught on the full by Liam Lawrence, who strode over to take the score to 59-7.
The Canadians resolve never wilted and an interception took them to the home line and the forwards did the necessary to go over from short range for a converted try.
Robert Stitt and Gary Wardle came on for the visitors to allow a breather for a couple of tired bodies and the loudest cheer of the night was reserved for the final try as Ottawa burst through from midfield to make the final score as the referee blew for time.
Hawick Linden: N. Murray; G. Anderson, G. Bouglas, S. Bouglas, C. Gracie; S. Renwick, S. Goodfellow; K. Mabon, S. Harkness, J. Gilchrist, S. Fairbairn, S. Mabon, G. Wardle, G. Cunningham, G. Colville. Subs: W. Barker, M. Knight, S. Beattie, C. Turnbull, L. Lawrence, R. Beattie, G. Douglas.